You say you’re politically engaged, but do you know where your candidate stands on…vanity license plates? Are they:
a) a bombastic example of the first amendment in action
b) a potent symbol for the reductive nature of America’s two-party political system
c) unwise at any speed
Still undecided? Take a look at the tags Rachel has on her car in Austin, Texas:
And the note she found recently on her windshield:
Meanwhile, in blue-state land…
Which led to this note posted in the office parking garage, and documented for us by Melissa in Long Beach:
related: The audacity of theft
extra credit: License plates and the first amendment [nytimes.com]
extra extra credit: Rock the vote!
233 responses so far ↓
#1
snee
dear tony,
you have a lot of “crap” on your car.
snee
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:13 pm rating: 90
#2
Amber
told you guys we had some crazy obama fans in tx!
what what!
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:13 pm rating: 90
#3
secondsout
Instead of your “marriage – one, man, one woman” decal, can I replace it with one that reads, “I’m a raging homophobe?” No? Would that be passive-aggressive of me? My bad.
Interesting that a guy who is advocating for discrimination wants to lecture people about tolerance.
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:24 pm rating: 90
#4
secondsout
Does the magnet decal actually make noise? Otherwise, how would someone “silence” you by stealing it?
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:27 pm rating: 90
#5
Mushroom
Plateframe: “Driver carries no cash – spent it all on this shiny car.”
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:28 pm rating: 90
#6
Cara
Didn’t Tony realize its entirely possible that whoever stole the “one woman one man” piece of flair just liked it so much they wanted it for their very own?
Tony is just feeling sewwww oppressed over this! Poor fucking thing. What a hypocritical asshole.
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:34 pm rating: 90
#7
zombieBlanco
If Tony is storing his treasures in Heaven, why is he so worried about his 99¢ decal here on Earth?
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:35 pm rating: 90
#8
Canthz_B
It’s nice to see such ardent God-fearing, all-American patriotism on a German-made car!
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:35 pm rating: 90
#9
morpho aurora
maybe they were trying to do tony a favor, looks like all those decals are messing up his paint.
ever notice the people with the most
idiotreligious stickers on the car are usually the worst drivers?Aug 24, 2008 at 11:37 pm rating: 90
#10
Canthz_B
I think the plate in #1 is being misinterpreted.
It’s short for: Obstetrician – American Medical Association.
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:41 pm rating: 90
#11
Maddy
People! What can you do with them!
Cheers
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:46 pm rating: 90
#12
Silliyak
Jonnie says you can make a hat, a broach, a terydactyl…
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:07 am rating: 90
#13
random bob
The thing with flaunting views of oppression: Aren’t they sort of, by definition, AGAINST the ideology of tolerance? So then, isn’t his claim about him being tolerant sort of… misplaced?
I love how they can try to push an agenda of INTOLERANCE and then complain about INTOLERANCE.
That’s the hypocrisy of it, for those of you above that don’t (didn’t) get it.
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:09 am rating: 90
#14
Miss Unloop
homophobist decal = respect + tolerance?
I don’t think so…
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:13 am rating: 90
#15
Bob
Whether you agree with his response (/ views) or not the truth is, the notice is about a theft.
The content of the stolen sticker is secondary, despite this, already the thread is turning into one long flame war.
Looking at the picture, the guys biggest problem seems to be that the ribbon shaped area of un-faded paint.
Perhaps, if he doesn’t get the sticker back he can claim it as a ‘support the invisible man’ ribbon.
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:49 am rating: 90
#16
Crash
So it’s okay to steal if I’m for gay marriage , right ?
I’ll use that as my excuse if I ever do so…
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:59 am rating: 90
#17
random bob
see sorry, but you guys aren’t quite getting it. Gays getting “married” doesn’t affect your rights. It takes away nothing from you.
as I said, gays getting married doesn’t equate ‘normal’ marriages falling away.
And WHY not support ‘just’ civil unions? Anyone here heard of history? Earl Warren? Separate but Equal doctrines? THAT’S why there’s the drive to reach ‘actual’ equality, in name & all.
I’m not advocating the thief’s behavior, btw, only pointing out the hypocrisy of talking about being “tolerant” whilst holding up an intolerant view of equal marriage rights.
Aug 25, 2008 at 1:12 am rating: 90
#18
random bob
you still don’t get it.
I so much as said that I DID NOT advocate the thief’s behavior, I was merely pointing out where the hypocrisy was in Tony’s statements of tolerance whilst holding tight to a view of intolerance.
I KNOW what tolerance means; I also understand that it’s laughable that people who preach intolerance can claim the need for tolerance of their view of… intolerance? Yeah, see that? doesn’t really make much sense. that’s the ONLY point I was making.
The thievery is wrong no matter which way you slice it.
Aug 25, 2008 at 1:30 am rating: 90
#19
random bob
also while I’m on the tirade:
I actually do not believe it’s OK to withhold rights to people just because you don’t like it or them; I don’t think it should be “tolerated.” Because “Tolerating” it means being OK with second-class citizenry. “Tolerating” the withholding of rights to people – which do not negatively affect the rights of anyone else – is what Racial Segregation was about, in essence. It’s the same thing.
It’s one thing to disagree with the idea of homosexuality as a “natural order” of things, quite another to deprive people of equal rights based on some trait.
What I’m saying is, I’d be perfectly OK with a Bumpersticker that said “I think Homosexuality is WRONG,” whereas I’m totally against a bumpersticker that essentially says “Gays shouldn’t be allowed to have equal rights,” and find it hard to tolerate.
Still though, stealing it was wrong, no disagreement.
Aug 25, 2008 at 1:40 am rating: 90
#20
Natalie
Hmm… I just don’t understand what STRNTH stands for…
Saturn The?
Stern… Thigh?
Aug 25, 2008 at 1:44 am rating: 90
#21
Ashley
I hate those fucking decals. They are about as useless as those “Support Our Troops” magnets people buy at the dollar store.
If you are going to put a magnet or decal on your car, you are asking for it to be stolen. It’s removable. Are they not committed to their views enough that they would permanently place them on the car? It’s not like he’s driving a fucking Mercedes.
Oh, and the last car I even saw one of those stickers on was my friend in high school who was a bible-abiding Christian at the time. Now she is living with her lesbian lover. Hmmm.
Aug 25, 2008 at 1:55 am rating: 90
#22
Fresca
Failure to support the right of gays to marry does not negate a person’s right to his/her own property. Sorry, but someone’s difference of opinion about what rights the government has an obligation to protect does not entitle you to steal from them. I don’t care if they support slavery; it doesn’t mean you get to take their stuff.
Aug 25, 2008 at 2:03 am rating: 90
#23
roxie
I love how Tony is trying to make it a “challenge” lol
Aug 25, 2008 at 2:18 am rating: 90
#24
aussielurker
As a long-time reader, first-time poster, etc. and as a gay man, I have to butt in and say isn’t this thread getting off-track somewhat? The key point is overt political car add-ons and theft.
From a cultural perspective, I find it interesting that no American posting finds this at all odd or strident at all. Personally, I find it a bit embarrassing that people feel so inclined to shout out their political views (or religion) in such a public and assertive way. This definitely would get some strange looks in Oz.
I think the first sign, while silly, is to be expected if you go out show your political beliefs to the world via your number plate. Similarly, Tony has a right to his views and to deface his car in his own way, but stealing stickers off another person’s car is another matter.
Feel free to have and display your political views, just keep your fucking hands off my property…
Aug 25, 2008 at 2:26 am rating: 90
#25
Natalie
You know, I also always think that if you brazenly declare your political affiliation all over your car, you had better be a good driver, since your behavior now reflects on your candidate/cause.
“Damn it! All those Obama supporters/Homophobes have no respect for the turn signal!”
Aug 25, 2008 at 3:03 am rating: 90
#26
claw71
I consider myself a pretty ballsy, outspoken guy. I’m not afraid to express ideas that subject me to scorn and criticism. That being said, I don’t see the need to drag my car into the fray. Regardless of which side you choose to stand, there are crazy people who will do horrible things if they disagree with your sentiment. I don’t even like to proclaim my sports loyalties because of idiot fans from the other side. An “Obama” vanity plate seems to be somewhat risky, especially in Texas. Before this election is over I predict that the car in question ends up lynched.
As for Tony, I certainly don’t agree with his views, but given the temporary nature of his decorations there I suspect he’s a little ambivalent himself. Maybe it’s because Tony, like so many other conservatives, enjoys a little guy on guy action from time to time.
Aug 25, 2008 at 5:58 am rating: 90
#27
claw71
I hate magnetic decals, especially these ubiquitous ribbons. Men and women are overseas dying and the extent of your support is stupid magnetic yellow ribbon. So when the war is finally over you can readily remove that decal and your car is as good as new, but when Johnny comes marching home… oh, that’s right his leg was blown off, he can’t march. Ever again. But hey, you did your part by supporting him, with a $1.79 investment. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Aug 25, 2008 at 6:07 am rating: 90
#28
bean
god took the magnet. It was so important to Tony that He decided to take it to heaven and store it there.
Aug 25, 2008 at 6:57 am rating: 90
#29
jokergirl
If he’s so American, why does he drive a VW?
…don’t tell me I’m the only person who noticed that.
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:06 am rating: 90
#30
amy d
According to Tony, the decal thief doesn’t understand the definitions of “Free Speech” and “Tolerance”, but he expects him/her to display “courage” and “decency” in a manner consistent with those definitions?
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:07 am rating: 90
#31
claw71
I know that Tony firmly believes that some granola-munching, tree-hugging, immigrant-harboring, wolf-snuggling, polar bear-kissing, queer-marrying, baby-killing liberal swiped his decal…and that remains a possibility. However, I believe the culprit is one of those polygamist mormons with a burr under his magic underwear about this whole defense of marriage movement. One man, one woman…that’s so quaker.
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:53 am rating: 90
#32
Wade
Magnetic Decals: When commitment to a cause is trumped by potential resale value.
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:54 am rating: 90
#33
Holiday Djinn
You figure whoever stole this magnet must have gotten a real sense of accomplishment. HA HA! I have silenced one more person! No longer shall this VW Bug be a travelling anti-gay statement!
Team Theives are Douchenozzless!
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:57 am rating: 90
#34
Wade
I’m still trying to figure out the sticker in the back window. If he is trying to communicate “One Nation Under God”, shouldn’t the words be over the flag?
Aug 25, 2008 at 8:24 am rating: 90
#35
aaa
I’m going to laugh at Rachel in Austin if Obama loses. I’m going to laugh even harder if it turns out he’s a drug addict with a penchant for taping nasty sex between himself and people who aren’t his wife.
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:18 am rating: 90
#36
claw71
Let’s be candid here, the only reason a person puts a sociopolitical message on a bumper sticker is to offend those who don’t agree with it. Sure, they’ll tell you that they’re trying to “raise awareness” or “encourage support” but most of the time these issues are far too complex to productively communicate on the back of a car.
I’ve got stickers on my car. Yes, it’s lame but they’re mementos of places I’ve been and things I’ve done (like Runbarabara’s Mom) but those things aren’t there to remind me of those experiences, they’re on my vehicle to show all of you how well-traveled I am. It’s vanity, plain and simple. I’m seeking validation. In spite of all the surly posts, I need approval just like everybody else.
I don’t put political or religions expressions on my car because I want to be relatively certain it will be operational when I need it. The last thing I want to do on a Monday afternoon is wait for a tow because some Bill Dobson wannabe slashed my tires to take out his frustration over my Darwin medallion. I suppose there’s an outside chance somebody will take umbrage to my rafting decals and one time I did have to explain that the Whiteface sticker was neither a racial slur nor an 80s rock band, but violence has yet to befall my van. I mean, the urge to throw a brick through the window of a car like Tony’s hits me every other day so I’d be a fool not to think that door swings the other way…right?
The thing of it is, I get it. I enjoy offending people. I realize that comes as a shock to most of you here but, damn it, I do get a thrill out of pissing people off and I love taking the heat for it. I just don’t need some right-to-lifer rigging my car with explosives because he doesn’t like my Abortion: it does a body good sticker. I’d rather put that on a T-shirt and let him take a swing at me.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you really need to think about your motives when you get ready to bedazzle your car with some sort of message. So you don’t like gay marriage or you adore Barack Obama, that’s fair. We’re all entitled to our opinions, but what is your motivation for sharing your views on your car? Most of the time you’re saying: this is what I think and you can’t do a damned thing about it and that’s fine, except there is something they can do. Maybe you’ll get off with a note stuck to your window, or maybe they’ll snag your magnet. No, it’s not right but if that’s the worst that happens you can count yourself lucky.
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:40 am rating: 90
#37
Goldie
I don’t get the Obama vanity plate at all. No matter how much I like the guy, the plate will be severely outdated come November 5th. What do you do, get a new one every four years?
When Obama pays fifty dollars of his money for a “Goldie” plate, I might consider getting the “Obama” one. Until then, I have better things to do with my $50.
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:41 am rating: 90
#38
morpho aurora
aww, give tony his decal back. I love it when assholes come with a warning label.
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:59 am rating: 90
#39
what the holy hell
If the gay rights movement is not likened to the black rights movement, what about all the homophobic violence (Matthew Shephard, the numerous numbers of transpeople who are killed and left for dead)? Just as there is an entire group against black people (the KKK), there is also an entire group against the ‘gay agenda’ (Fred Phelps and his ilk).
Not allowing gays to marry IS an assertion of power by straight, Jesus/Allah lovin’ folk. They view it as ‘wrong’, and assume that they have the right to dictate who can do what. Just like it was ‘wrong’ for black people to have jobs or intermingle with whites.
But what the fuck do I know? I live in Canada, and it’s legal here. GAY MARRIAGE AND WEED FOR EVERYONE!
Aug 25, 2008 at 10:28 am rating: 90
#40
Naomi
Ah, God bless America.
Aug 25, 2008 at 11:41 am rating: 90
#41
Kim
If I saw tony’s car I just might key it.
No one wants to see your hate speech.
Aug 25, 2008 at 11:46 am rating: 90
#42
schrodingersduck
American license plate look so much more fun than British ones – in the UK, license plates have to fit the form XX99 XXX (or for older plates, X999 XXX), and must be printed on plain yellow and white (a European flag is optional for driving in Europe). They can’t have an political statements or offensive words, including those in other languages. There’s also a heavy tax on vanity plates.
As a result, the only people who get plates are the ones willing to pay £500 (not a typo) for “TO55 ERZ” or “BO08 YES”. Where’s the fun in that?!
Aug 25, 2008 at 11:52 am rating: 90
#43
AWAT
When did RB suggest censorship? He was just stating his opinions about what he prefers. Your ideas about how to read this thread are flawed, CB.
Aug 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm rating: 90
#44
Sabrina
Everybody knows VW Beetles are for women, anyway.
Aug 25, 2008 at 4:31 pm rating: 90
#45
bean
Obama Sucks!!! looks like it was written by a seven year old. Seriously, what adult makes their b’s with a circle line? I’m surprised it’s on college rule, and not three lined paper. Oh wait…
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:37 pm rating: 90
#46
Nix
Tony clearly needs a boyfriend.
Aug 25, 2008 at 10:36 pm rating: 90
#47
zombieBlanco
meh
Aug 26, 2008 at 1:15 am rating: 90
#48
drunkard
sorry when I get drunk..before I get in my car to drive home I steal people’s decals from their cars in the parking garage.. but they are only ones I want to use myself .. passing it on
Aug 26, 2008 at 4:02 am rating: 90
#49
bobby
When I bought my friend’s car I left on the sticker that said, “You Lost Get Over It” with the confederate flag crossed out. Within a few months, it was ripped off. Instead of writing a note and hoping it got to the person who stole it, I just felt disturbed by probable racists in my hometown. If it’s not white pride, it’s southern pride, but Iowa isn’t even part of the south.
Aug 26, 2008 at 1:21 pm rating: 90
#50
Drunkbunny
I saw a one of those ribbon magnets on a car in a parking lot once that said “SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT”. While I completely agree with the sentiment, I thought about how ironic it would be if I stole it.
“Yes, 911? I’d like to report my ‘Support Law Enforcement’ magnet ribbon stolen… what, the cops don’t consider a $2 loss of property a dire emergency? LAW ENFORCEMENT SUCKS!” *click*
Aug 27, 2008 at 8:35 am rating: 90
#51
RP
Putting crap on or taking stuff off of people car’s is wrong. You have the right to say whatever you want.
The rest of us have the right to disagree. I am not violating your right to free speech if I tell you that you’re silly, asinine, arrogant, wrong, ignorant, vapid, stupid, mean, racist, sexist, bigoted, touchy, whiny, insane, or whatever else your opinion happened to reveal about you.
Aug 28, 2008 at 2:20 pm rating: 90
#52
Nini
It is a sad world when people don’t realize when they themselves are being discriminatory. When the Bible was written it clearly defined marriage and those that believe in it have every right to voice their opinion just as much as those that are for same sex marriage. We have not progressed our thinking and don’t for a second think that humans in general are just becoming more tolerant of others… all we are doing is turning the table and instead of picking on homosexuals, we are now taking it out on all the Christians (and those denominations that claim to be).
How often does someone get chewed out for calling a Christian something slanderous?? What about the other way around??? (Just read the other posts to find out)
Aug 28, 2008 at 9:40 pm rating: 90
#53
meat.org
Obama does suck, same jazz as Mccain.
And heck yeah i would steal that lame ribbon magnet too. Two men or women marrying doesn’t involved you TONY. So let it be. Slash your tires while I’m at it. I kid i kid..or DO i?
Sep 2, 2008 at 8:37 pm rating: 90
#54
pissive aggrissive
yobama fuckins sux. only pierced eyebrow dweebs would steal a car magnet they don’t agree with. party hard on 11/3 dickbreaths. wake up about 6:59pm on 11/4, ok?
Sep 6, 2008 at 12:01 am rating: 90
#55
Quizoid
Here’s an odd coincidence:
1) My name is Tony
2) My birthday is June 26
3) I’m in a domestic partnership with another man, in the process of paying close to a grand on legal papers to get us close to having some of the same rights as married couples (such as transferral of property on death and ability to make medical and property decisions for the other if one of us is unable) that I could get for about $60 if we were of opposite sex.
For the record:
~ I’m all for free speech.
~ I hope conservative culture progresses to the point where they understand the wise words, “Separation of Church and State.” I’m not asking to be married in YOUR church, just mine.
~ I can be with my partner, live with him, share a bank account… totally be married. I just can’t have a few benefits and have to spend more on some things. All conservatives are fighting for is the right to keep inconveniencing my life. Whether the state recognizes my marriage or not is inconsequential to how I live.
Sep 11, 2008 at 2:20 pm rating: 90
#56 when mavericks attack
[...] related: herbie goes to washington [...]
Oct 15, 2008 at 2:57 pm rating: 90
#57
Wannabe
For so-called conservatives, don’t you think it odd that you are advocating for the state define marriage at all? I mean, shouldn’t you be worried about the fact that the government has the right to regulate our personal lives to such a degree in the first place by creating the institution of marriage? Why should heterosexuals be the only ones allowed to live together in a way that allows them to receive privileges under the law? By that logic since I am not of the Pentacostal faith, all couple who are pentacostal should not be allowed to be lawfully married. Admit it, it is your religious/ social intolerance that causes you to be against gay marriage- and why should YOU be allowed to shove YOUR beliefs down our throat and base law on them?
Oct 15, 2008 at 8:24 pm rating: 90
#58 a little bit of shameless gloating
[...] related: when mavericks attack; herbie goes to washington [...]
Nov 5, 2008 at 1:45 pm rating: 90
#59
Molly
I hate the “Jesus says its wrong, therefore its wrong” argument. Not all of the founders of this nation were Christians. Some were agnostic, some were atheists. We were NOT founded as a Christian nation – unless you think they were just kidding about that whole First Amendment thing.
The only reason to believe that homosexuality is wrong is religion. Take that out, and you’ve got nothing left. What happened to “love they neighbor” and “judge not lest ye be judged”? Or are you all exempt from your own so-called “rules”?
Jan 26, 2009 at 11:03 pm rating: 90
#60 When parking gets political | PassiveAggressiveNotes.com — funny (if not necessarily "passive-aggressive") notes from pissed-off people
[...] related: Herbie Goes to Washington [...]
Feb 13, 2010 at 2:15 am rating: 90
Comments are Closed